Regulator for electric currents.



No. 728,034. V PATENTED MAY 12, 1903.

T. SPENCER. REGULATOR FOR ELECTRIC GURRENTS.

I Arrmqmlon nun 1120,10. 1901. 10 MODEL.

FIGJ WITNESSES: v V'IN-VEINTOR: 4 4 Q5 Moms 51 mm UNITED STATES Patented May 12, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS SPENCER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR. TO HELIOS UPTON COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

REGULATOR FOR ELECTRIC CURRENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 728,034, dated May 12, 1903. Application filed December 16, 1901. Serial No. 86,026. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS SPENCER, 'of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Regulators for Electric Ourrents, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompany ing drawings.

My invention relates to that class of regulators wherein a solenoid-coil is included in the circuit to be regulated, in such relation with an iron core that relative movement of the solenoid and core is effected in accordance with variations in the resistance in the circuit, with consequent variations in the impedance of the coil, which compensate for said variations in the resistance. 1

My improvements comprise means to suspend one or the other of the relatively movable solenoid or core elements, so that the weight of the movable mass shall be opposed to the magnetic stress in the solenoid in accordance with the laws controlling the movement of a pendulum, with the result that a characteristic curve indicating the gravitative force acting on the pendulous mass shall substantially coincide with a characteristic curve indicating the magnetic stress in the solenoid throughout the range of movement for which the regulator is designed.

My invention alsolcomprehends the various novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafter more definitely specified and claimed.

As a typical embodiment of my invention I have shown a regulator wherein the core is stationary and the solenoid swings as a pendulum, said solenoid being included in an alternating-current circuit, with arc-lam ps arranged in series, so as to maintain the current substantially constant in said circuit regardless of variation in the resistance of the circuit consequent upon variation in the number of said lamps in operation. It is to be understood, however, that I do not desire to restrict my invention to such an embodiment.

In said drawings, Figure I is a side elevation of a regulator with a diagrammatic indication of the circuit in which it is comprised. Fig. II is a plan View of said regulator.

In said figures, l is the frame, provided with the standards 2 and 3. Said standard 2 supports the fulcrum 4 of the pendulum 6, which is arranged to swing toward and away from the core 8, fixed upon the top of the standard 8. Said core 8 is conveniently formed of a plurality of U-shaped sheet-iron plates, whose free extremities 9 9 register with openings in the respective solenoid-coils 10 10, which latter are carried by the pendulum 6, to which they are conveniently secured by the straps l1 and bolts 12, with their axes at right angles to the length of said pendulum.

Said solenoid-coils are connected in series relationvin the electric circuit 13, comprising the source of current 14.- and the arc-lamps 15.

The relation between the core 8 and the center of gravity of the mass carried by the pendulum dis such that under normal conditions the pendulum hangs in the substantially vertical position shown in Fig. I while all the lamps of the series in circuit are in operation. When, however, the resistance of the circuit is diminished by the cutting out of one or more of said lamps, the magnetic stress in the solenoid coils 1O 10 is correspondingly increased and the latter swing the pendulum toward the core 8, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. I, with the result that the impedance effect of said coils upon the current is increased to compensate for the decrease in resistance in the circuit, and the current through the remaining lamps is maintained substantially constant.

It is to be understood, of course, that the resistance of the pendulous mass to the magnetic force tending to swing it is increased in definite relation with the increase of the length between the center of gravity of said mass and the center upon which it oscillates, so that by adjustment of said length the regulator may be precisely calibrated to balance the magnetic stress in the solenoid produced by a given current in the circuit. Such variation in the location of said center of gravity may be secured'by providing the pendulum with a movable weight. Therefore the lower extremity 18 of'said pendulum 6 is preferably screw-threadedg as indicated, and provided with the nut 19; which retains the weight 20 in such relation as to be adjustable toward and away fromithe center of oscillation 4 to efiect acorresponding adjustment of the center of gravity of the movable mass,including the pendulum 6 and the coils carried by it suspended from said center.

In the apparatus abcive described the characteristic curve indicating the gravitative force acting on the pendulous mass is larger than the characteristic curve indicating the magnetic stress in the solenoid, and a closer approximation of the former to the latter may be secured :by shortening the length from the center of oscillation to the aXis'of the solenoid. However, such alteration in the relative position of the parts would necessitate a greater departure of the solenoid from the axial line of the core during its oscillation, and for convenience of construction a greater radius is preferable.

It is to be understood that I do not desire to limit myself to the precise construction and proportion of the parts which I have illustrated, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential features of my invention.

I claim- 1. In a reactance-regulator for an alternating-current circuit, the combination with a core; of a tubular coil included in the circuit to be regulated and adapted to inclose more or less of said core within it, in accordance with variations in the magnetic stress between said core and coil; and, a pendulum supporting said coil so that the weight of the latter is opposed to the magnetic stress which effects its movement, substantially as set forth.

2. In a reactance-regulator for an alternating-current circuit, the combination with a U-shaped core; of a pair of tubular coils included in series in the circuit to be regulated and adapted to respectively and simultaneously inclose more or less of the two free ends of said core within them, in accordance with variations in the magnetic stress between said core and coil; and, a pendulum supporting said coils so that the weight of the latter is opposed to the magnetic stress which effects their movement, substantially as set forth.

3. In a reactance-regulator for an alternating-current circuit, the combination with a frame provided with a standard; of a pendulum mounted to oscillate on said standard; two tubular coils rigidly mounted on said pendulum parallel with each other, and connected in series with the circuit which is:to be regulated; and, a U-shaped core mounted on said frame to enter both of said coils simultaneously, in accordance with the movementof said pendulum in response to variations the magneticstress between said coils and core, substantially as set forth.

4. In a reactance-regulator for an alternating-current circuit, the combination with a frame; of a core mounted upon said frame in acute angular relation therewith; a tubular coil included'in the circuit to be regulated and adapted to inclose more or less of said core within it, in accordance with variations in the magnetic stress between said core and coil; and, a pendulum supporting said coil, in registry with said core, so that the weight of. the coil is opposed to the magnetic stress which etfectsits movement, substantially as set forth.

5. In a reactance-regulator for an alternating-current circuit, the combination with a core; of a tubular coil included in the circuit to be regulated and adapted to inclose more or less of said core within it, in accordance with variations in the magnetic stress between said coil and core; a pendulum supporting said coil so that the weight of the latter is opposed to the magnetic stress which effects its movement; and, means to adjust ably shift the center of gravity of the mass carried by said pendulum, substantially as set forth.

6. In a reactance-regulator for an alternating-current circuit, the combination with a core; of a tubular coil included in the circuit to be regulated and adapted to inclose more or less of said core within it, in accordance with variations in the magnetic stress between said core and coil; a pendulum supporting said coil so that the weight of the latter is opposed to the magnetic stress which effects its movement; an adjustable weight carried by said pendulum in rigid relation with said pendulum and said coil, upon the same side of the center of oscillation as said coil; and, means to adjust said weight toward and away from the center of oscillation of said pendulum to shift the center of gravity of the mass carried by said pendulum, substantially as set forth.

7. In a reactance-regulator for an alternating-current circuit, the combination with a frame 1; of a standard 2, rigidly mounted on said frame, and provided with a bearing for a fulcrum 4; apendulum 6, supported by said standard to oscillate upon said fulcrum 4c; tubular solenoid-coils 10, mounted parallel with each other in rigid relation with said pendulum 6, and connected in series with the circuit which is to be regulated; straps 11, and bolts 12, securing said coils to said pendulum; a standard 3, mounted upon said frame 1; a U-shaped core 8, rigidly supported by ICO said standard 3, to enter said coils 10, in ac- I In testimony whereof I have hereunto cordance with the oscillation of said pendusigned my name, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvalum; a weight 20, carried by said pendulum nia, this 9th day of'December, 1901.

below said coils 10; and, means to adj ustably THOMAS SPENCER. 5 shift said weight toward and away from the Vitnesses:

center of oscillation 4, substantially as set FRANK S. MARE,

forth.

CHAS. D. MEYERS. 

